Angel, Marian and KC spice up Sinulog '09

It was a rare triple treat for the movie fans that three of the hottest young actresses today lent their star power to the just-concluded Sinulog week. Angel Locsin was here last Tuesday, while Marian Rivera and KC Concepcion came over the weekend. Both Marian and KC also graced yesterday’s Sinulog 2009 grand parade. Here are some of the highlights from our press interviews with the three last week.

Angel Locsin. With the issue of her crying on ASAP during a duet with "Love Me Again" co-star Piolo Pascual-that fanned reports of an LQ (AKA Lover's Quarrel) with rumored boyfriend Luis Manzano-still very fresh, questions on what brought on those tears came a-pouring for the 23-year-old actress during the Cebu promotion of her first movie for Star Cinema.

I was told that even the Star Cinema people present at the presscon in Cebu Parklane tried (and failed) to rein in the questions, worried that Angel might become emotional again. But to her credit, Angel survived the "grilling" with flying colors and I liked that she didn't settle for that much abused "no comment." She tried to reveal what she can reveal, and was honest enough not to ride on the other reasons that her supporters were offering in her defense (that she was just sad that it will be her last project with Piolo or that there was just something in her eye, et cetera). "I'm sorry that Piolo got dragged to this issue. It was because of a personal problem. I'm sad right now, but I'll be okay."

Marian Rivera. It could have been just another day for someone probably used to unabashed adulation from fans. But veteran entertainment editors from Manila couldn't help but notice that Marian looked very happy as if the warm reception from Cebuano fans on her first visit after she shot to stardom via "Marimar" some two years ago was a novelty. Having accompanied the petite and mestiza star to the mall show at SM City Cebu, where it took quite a long time for them to leave after fans blocked off their way out, Isah Red of Manila Standard had to comment, "Now we know how it feels to be mobbed."

But there's one thing that really tickled Marian pink. This was when she was complimented for her role as a tough-talking engkanto slayer in Nieves, the highly praised episode of the Metro Manila Film Fest 2008 entry, "Shake, Rattle, and Roll," that will be made into a full-blown movie this year under Regal Films. It proved that given the right project, Marian could apparently carry a project by her lonesome and without a loveteam partner.

Anyway, Marian shared that she was able to put into good use her Psychology degree, especially in dealing with a very controversial 2008. And this 2009, she has psyched herself to only think positive and to welcome only the positive things into her life (including, by the way, four new endorsement deals). She said, "I'm going to leave all the negativity of 2008 behind."

KC Concepcion. The eldest daughter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta turned embarrassed and momentarily speechless when asked how she feels that her Tita Annabelle Rama very much approves of her for her son Richard Gutierrez, and in fact, calls her as her favorite. In reaction, KC Concepcion charmingly tried to hide under a tablecloth during yesterday's presscon at Pino Restaurant in Lahug. "Nakakahiya eh kasi nandito sila lahat," KC said, referring to Richard's proud parents, Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez, who came to Cebu as well to show their full support.

Anyhow, KC and Richard will test anew their onscreen chemistry in "When I Met You," which is a Regal Films and GMA Films co-production. Although there's no concrete confirmation from the two as to how they really mean to each other in real life, KC, however, shared what lessons on love that she has learned from her parents that she takes to heart. "It's okay to fall in love because it's part of being young."